What is a 'class action' in legal terms?

A 'class action' in legal terms refers to a lawsuit filed by a group of individuals who share similar claims or grievances against a common defendant. This legal mechanism allows a large number of people with comparable legal issues to come together to file a single lawsuit, thus pooling their resources and making the legal process more efficient.

Class actions are particularly useful in cases where individual claims may not be significant enough to warrant separate legal action or where the issues at stake affect a large group, such as consumer rights, environmental damage, or employment practices. By consolidating their claims, the group can challenge the defendant more effectively, and if successful, the resolution typically benefits all members of the class.

The other options do not accurately portray the nature of a class action. An individual lawsuit against a corporation focuses solely on one person's claims, not a collective effort. A legal proceeding involving multiple defendants does not inherently mean it is a class action, as that could involve various unrelated claims. Lastly, a class action does not pertain to criminal cases, as it specifically relates to civil law where a group seeks redress for shared grievances. Therefore, the definition of a class action as a lawsuit filed by a group with common claims is precisely accurate and highlights its collective nature within the